Kids Newsletter August 2016

National Peach Month

The peach originated in China and has been cultivated since at least 1000 B.C.E. It has special significance in Chinese culture: the peach has mystical attributes and is believed to bring luck, abundance and protection.

The peach tree is considered to be the tree of life, and peaches are symbols of immortality and unity. Peach blossoms are carried by Chinese brides.

The Romans called the peaches "Persian Apples," naming them after the country that introduced peaches to the West.

Spaniards brought peaches to South America, and the French introduced them to Louisiana. The English took them to their Jamestown and Massachusetts colonies. Columbus brought peach trees to America on his second and third voyages.

China is the largest world producer of peaches, with Italy second.

California produces more than 50 percent of the peaches in the United States (and grows 175 different varieties).

So many peaches are grown in Georgia that it became known as the Peach State.

True wild peaches are only found in China. Unlike the cultivated fruit, the wild fruit is small, sour and very fuzzy.

Did You Know?

The term, "you're a real peach" originated from the tradition of giving a peach to the friend you liked.

Most peaches are cultivated by grafting different combinations of rootstocks to scions.

There are over 700 varieties of peaches − some Chinese varieties are even flat like hockey pucks!

Peaches are the third most popular fruit grown in America.

The United States provides about one-fourth (25 percent) of the world's total supply of fresh peaches

The World's Largest Peach is located in Gaffney, South Carolina, and weighs over 10,000 pounds. The city of Gaffney, near Greenville, built a water tower in the shape of a peach back in 1981.

Let's Be Healthy

The Summer Olympics will take place during August. Why not try one of these sports? Who knows, maybe you can be in the Olympics some day! The following sports are part of the Summer Olympics: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing, Cycling, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing, Field Hockey, Golf, Soccer, Gymnastics, Handball, Judo, Pentathlon, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Swimming, Synchronized Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling.

Let's Read

"James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl

After James Henry Trotter's parents are tragically eaten by a rhinoceros, he goes to live with his two horrible aunts, Spiker and Sponge. Life there is no fun, until James accidentally drops some magic crystals by the old peach tree, and strange things start to happen. The peach at the top of the tree begins to grow, and before long it's as big as a house. Inside, James meets a bunch of oversized friends − Grasshopper, Centipede, Ladybug and more. With a snip of the stem, the peach starts rolling away, and the great adventure begins!

"Summer Days and Nights" by Wong Herbert Yee

On a hot summer day, a little girl finds ways to entertain herself and stay cool. She catches a butterfly, sips lemonade, jumps in a pool and goes on a picnic. At night, she sees an owl in a tree and a frog in a pond and hears leaves rustling. Before long, she's fast asleep, dreaming about more summer days and summer nights.

Let's Have Fun

Let's Get Creative

Olympic Torch

Cut the bottom from the drink bottle, and discard. You may need to smooth the edges for young children. Wrap the bottle in aluminum foil, and tape down any loose edges. You now have your torch.

To make the flame, cut flame shaped pieces from the paper, and tape to the inside of the torch starting with small pieces at the edge and getting bigger as you work in.

Let's Cook

Chunky Peach Popsicles

Ingredients:

1¼ pounds ripe peaches (three to four medium), halved and pitted

Juice from one lemon

¼ cup freshly-squeezed orange juice

¼ cup sugar (or to taste)

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Prep: Chop peaches in a food processor. Transfer 1 cup (keep the peaches somewhat chunky) to a medium bowl. Add the lemon juice, orange juice and sugar to the food processor. Puree until smooth. Add to the bowl with the peaches, then stir in vanilla.

What's New

PBS KIDS Measure Up! App

In PBS KIDS Measure Up!, children ages 3 to 5 join PBS KIDS characters on an adventure through Treetop City, Magma Peak and Crystal Caves practicing early math concepts focused on length, width, capacity and weight with their friends from "Dinosaur Train," "Peg + Cat" and "Sid the Science Kid." Children can also collect rewards and unlock digital toys as they play.

We have TIGERTASTIC news to share about "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood"!

Daniel Tiger goes back to school beginning Sept. 5. It's a busy first week of school for Daniel − he can't find his red sweater, his teacher gets a new hairdo, he learns to share with his sister, makes his own version of the Neighborhood, develops allergies, and then ends this jam-packed week with a field trip. Whew!

Save the date for AETN Family Day!

Join AETN as we celebrate our 50th anniversary at AETN Family Day 2016: Peace, Love & AETN Saturday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Travel back in time to the 1960s when AETN first went on the air. Watch classic episodes of programs from the AETN Video Vault, meet your favorite PBS KIDS characters and get a sneak peak of what to expect next from AETN and PBS. We'll have games, face painting, arts and crafts, story time, snacks and much more − all free and open to the public. Stay tuned to aetn.org/family day for updates and a full schedule of events.

"Odd Squad: The Movie" debuts Aug. 1 at 7 a.m. on AETN and repeats at 2 p.m.
In this feature-length "Odd Squad" event, a rival group of adults called Weird Team arrive with a gadget that fixes any odd problem. As a result, the Odd Squad is run out of business, and all the agents are forced to disband and go back to their lives as regular kids. Using math skills and teamwork, the kids discover Weird Team isn't actually solving problems, but just covering them up. The season 2 cast teams up with the season 1 cast to stop Weird Team and save the world from destruction. Guest starring Jack McBrayer and Hannah Simone.

Watch your favorites online!

Play, watch and learn with your favorite series at pbskids.org. Check out activities and resources, and follow our blog, at aetn.org/parents. For educational resources at home and in the classroom, including a downloadable resource guide, visit…